Child driver kills 8 monks in Mukdahan

A speeding vehicle has plowed into a group of 30 monks on a walking pilgrimage in Mueang district of Mukdahan province, killing 8 and injuring many others.

The driver of the bronze pickup truck was found to be a child aged under 15. The driver had allegedly stolen his parents’ vehicle.

According to the Buddhism News Facebook page today, the incident took place on the Ban Na Sinuan Road. Emergency services rushed to the scene to provide first aid before transporting the injured monks to Mukdahan Hospital.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the monks were on a ‘thudong’ (traditional dhutanga pilgrimage), travelling on foot from the Thammathot Luang Dharma Park in Nam Khun district, Ubon Ratchathani province.

One of the surviving monks recounted the terrifying moment, stating that the group was walking strictly along the extreme edge of the road.

"I was walking second in line when I saw a vehicle approaching us at a very high speed," the monk said. "I managed to grab the Phra Khru (abbot/senior monk), who was leading the procession, and we both leaped into the roadside ditch just in time, just before the vehicle slammed into the rest of our group."

A police investigation is now underway.